Artist Creates 47 Paintings Supporting Sr. Thea Bowman's Canonization

Brother Mickey McGrath's artwork aims to honor the trailblazing African American Catholic sister, educator and evangelist.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nearly 30 years ago, award-winning artist Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, discovered the life and work of Sr. Thea Bowman, an African American Catholic sister, educator and evangelist who challenged the church to confront its history of racial exclusion. Inspired by Sr. Bowman's message of embracing Black Catholic spirituality, McGrath has created 47 paintings that have been sent to Rome to support her cause for canonization. The diocesan phase of Sr. Bowman's canonization process was recently closed in Jackson, Mississippi, where McGrath attended a celebratory Mass.

Why it matters

Sr. Thea Bowman was a trailblazing figure who advocated for the church to fully embrace the cultural gifts of African American Catholics. Her witness and message continue to resonate today, as the Catholic Church grapples with its history of racial exclusion and seeks greater diversity and inclusion. McGrath's artwork aims to honor Sr. Bowman's legacy and support her path to sainthood.

The details

After discovering Sr. Bowman through a magazine interview, McGrath was inspired to create a series of 9 paintings in a new style. Over the next two years, he went on to produce 47 paintings that have now been sent to Rome to support Sr. Bowman's canonization cause. The diocesan phase of the process was recently closed in Jackson, Mississippi, where McGrath attended a celebratory Mass along with Sr. Bowman's community members and the postulator for her cause.

  • Nearly 30 years ago, McGrath discovered Sr. Bowman's story while his father was battling cancer.
  • One year later, McGrath was inspired to start painting after watching a video on Sr. Bowman, creating 9 paintings in 2 weeks.
  • Over the next 2 years, McGrath produced a total of 47 paintings supporting Sr. Bowman's canonization cause.
  • On February 9, 2026, the diocesan phase of Sr. Bowman's canonization cause was officially closed in Jackson, Mississippi.

The players

Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS

An award-winning artist who discovered Sr. Thea Bowman's story and has created 47 paintings to support her canonization cause.

Sr. Thea Bowman

An African American Catholic sister, educator and evangelist who challenged the church to confront its history of racial exclusion and embrace Black Catholic spirituality.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz

The bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, who celebrated the Mass marking the closure of the diocesan phase of Sr. Bowman's canonization cause.

Emanuele Spedicato

The postulator for Sr. Thea Bowman's cause for canonization.

Meg Paulino

The community archivist for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Sr. Bowman's religious community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I had never heard of the woman in my life, but I read this article right there on the spot and I thought, 'Wow, she was something. How did I miss her all this time,'”

— Brother Mickey McGrath (catholicherald.com)

“Music was at the very heart of her whole ministry, and so, that struck me too as an artist, that she was using her artistic gifts to advance her spirit.”

— Brother Mickey McGrath (catholicherald.com)

“The next morning, I got up and started painting and I didn't stop for two weeks. And in two weeks' time I had nine paintings in a style very different from anything I had ever done before … It was like I was touching things that were already deep in me, you know, spiritually, but I didn't have access to.”

— Brother Mickey McGrath (catholicherald.com)

“We're all made in the image and likeness of God, and that's got to be preeminent.”

— Brother Mickey McGrath (catholicherald.com)

What’s next

The 47 paintings created by Brother McGrath have been sent to Rome for review to advance Sr. Thea Bowman's cause for canonization.

The takeaway

Brother McGrath's artwork honors the legacy of Sr. Thea Bowman, a trailblazing African American Catholic sister who championed the inclusion of Black Catholic spirituality in the church. His paintings aim to support Sr. Bowman's path to sainthood, keeping her powerful message of unity and embracing diversity alive.